Program Overview

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Introduction to the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma

The Chartered Professional Accountancy (CPA) Graduate Diploma program at the Telfer School of Management is a four-month case-based program that allows students to gain knowledge in financial reporting, strategy and governance, management accounting, audit and assurance, finance and taxation. Accredited by CPA Ontario and recognized by CPA Quebec, this diploma helps students earn their CPA designation faster by saving them at least four months of CPA study time.

The Program

The Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma has been instrumental in helping 92% of its candidates pass the CPA Canada Common Final Exam (CFE), required to be eligible for admission into the CPA Profession in Canada.

Why the Telfer CPA Diploma?

• Fast-Track to CPA PEP Advanced Standing: Earning this full-time, graduate-level diploma speeds up the completion of CPA designation requirements by shortening the time spent on the Chartered Professional Accountants Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) courses by four to eight months.
• Strong CFE Preparation: Courses include relevant lectures and case analyses that explore over 75 CFE-type cases. Cases and exam questions are similar to those found on the Common Final Examination (CFE).
• Peer Collaboration: During the week, students attend morning classes to explore a new case, and then have time to work on case preparation, case debriefing, and topical readings in the afternoon.
• Familiar Environment: The CPA Graduate Diploma has been specifically designed for Telfer BCom Accounting graduates. Students complete key CPA courses in University of Ottawa classrooms, with constant access to CPA-designated professors.

Quick Facts

CPA Graduate Diploma In English

• Units: 15 units over the course of one term
• Duration: 4 months
• Schedule: Monday to Friday, class from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Class Experience: 30 to 50 students per class
• Offer: Courses in English
• Timeline: Fall term - September to December

CPA Graduate Diploma In French

• Units: 15 units over the course of one term
• Duration: 4 months
• Schedule: Monday to Friday, class from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Class Experience: 15 to 25 students per class
• Offer: Courses in French
• Timeline: Fall term - September to December

The CPA Designation

To practice as a professional accountant, one will need the coveted Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. The CPA designation equips individuals with skills and knowledge that are in high demand by top organizations and enables them to pursue purpose-driven work.

Requirements for the CPA Designation

To earn the CPA designation, one needs to complete:

• Prerequisite learning in the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
• Chartered Professional Accountants Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) curriculum
• A three-day Common Final Examination (CFE)
• Practical work experience (30 months for CPA Ontario, or 24 months for CPA Quebec)

Courses

The Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma covers the first four Chartered Professional Accountants Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) course content (Core 1, Core 2, Elective 1 and Elective 2) in just four months (one term). This exempts students from completing these four courses online and gives them advanced standing in the CPA PEP program.

English Courses

• CPT 5100: Advanced Competencies in Financial Accounting (3 units)
• CPT 5101: Advanced Competencies in Audit, Assurance and Governance (3 units)
• CPT 5102: Advanced Competencies in Strategy and Management Accounting (3 units)
• CPT 5103: Advanced Competencies in Taxation (3 units)
• CPT 5104: Integration of Advanced Competencies in Accountancy (3 units)

French Courses

• CPT 5500: Compétences avancées en comptabilité financičre (3 units)
• CPT 5501: Compétences avancées en audit, certification et gouvernance (3 units)
• CPT 5502: Compétences avancées en stratégie et comptabilité de gestion (3 units)
• CPT 5503: Compétences avancées en fiscalité (3 units)
• CPT 5504: Intégration des compétences avancées en comptabilité (3 units)

Admission

Admission Criteria

• Undergraduate Degree: A Canadian bachelors degree with a minimum admission average of 6.0 or B (70%) is required. International equivalencies will not be accepted.
• Course Prerequisites: The Telfer Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting covers all course prerequisites per CPA Canada standards.

Core Courses

Applicants require a minimum average of 6.0 or B (70%) in the required 17 core undergraduate courses, including:

1. ADM 2342 Intermediate Accounting I
2. ADM 2350 Financial Management
3. ADM 2372 Management Information Systems
4. ADM 3340 Intermediate Accounting II
5. ADM 3345 Taxation I
6. ADM 3346 Cost Accounting
7. ADM 3349 Auditing Theory
8. ADM 3350 Corporate Finance
9. ADM 4311 Strategic Management
10. ADM 4340 Case Studies in Accounting
11. ADM 4341 Advanced Auditing
12. ADM 4343 Data Analytics in Accounting
13. ADM 4344 Taxation II
14. ADM 4345 Management Control Systems
15. ADM 4346 Auditing in a Digital Environment
16. ADM 4348 Special Topics in Financial Accounting
17. ADM 4349 Advanced Accounting

Non-Core Courses

Applicants require a minimum grade of D (50%) in each of the 7 non-core undergraduate courses, including:

1. ECO 1102 Introduction to Macroeconomics
2. ECO 1104 Introduction to Microeconomics
3. ADM 1340 Financial Accounting
4. ADM 2341 Managerial Accounting
5. ADM 2303 Statistics for Management
6. ADM 2304 Applications of Statistical Methods in Business
7. ADM 3360 Business Law

Application Process

Submit your application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC).

Information Sessions

Attend an information session to learn more about the program, understand admission requirements, and ask questions.

Application Deadlines

Submit your application by the following dates:

• April 1st for English session applicants for the Fall term
• April 1st for French session applicants for the Fall term

Students

Timeline for Completing Your Studies

• Fall and/or Winter: Fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce, apply for the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma
• Spring-Summer: Complete your Bachelor of Commerce, prepare for your CPA Graduate Diploma
• Fall: Take the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma September to December
• Winter: Complete CPA Ontario Capstone 1 January to March
• Spring-Summer: Complete CPA Ontario Capstone 2 April, write Common Final Exam (CFE) May

Preparing for the Graduate Diploma

To maximize your student experience and success in the program, review the competencies you developed at the undergraduate level before beginning the graduate program.

Fees and Financing

Tuition Fees

The program tuition fees are $11,850 CAD. This amount does not include incidental fees and the cost of books, case materials, and any other instructional supplies.

Admission Scholarships

Admission scholarships will be awarded based on undergraduate academic performance.

Career Opportunities

Your CPA designation will elevate your career in accounting, opening more job opportunities in government, private sector, and industry practice.

FAQ

Could I still apply if I have not completed all the prerequisite courses needed?

If you are completing or have completed your undergraduate degree at a Canadian university, yes, you can receive a conditional offer of admission pending the completion of the remaining prerequisite courses.